Sierra County advocate. [volume] (Kingston, N.M.) 1884-1960, 1887-06-10

lay.
The Nor was very preoccupied I'M
til dinner was over, but as Maude had
also much food for reflection, silence
was agreeable to both.
II wonder If could do anything for
Mr.. Browne while | am in town?'
queried the major. my dear, turn
ing to Maude, Just write a little note
to him. asking him to step over for a
minute. You know we half-promised
to show him the way to Fairy Glen
this afternoon. ] don't feel inclined
for any more walking myself; but there
is no reason why you shouldn't accom-
pany him, if YOU are not tired and he
is agreeable to the arrangement. "
Maude's note quickly brought Mr..
Browne. and the lovers were soon on
their way to Fairy Glen.
"My darling, we are in lpcK's way!'
exclaimed jack Your unclc's absence
will make matters as simple as an
ABC guide. | shall have tomorrow
to make the necessary arrangements.
We can be married the following morn
ing, and by the time your uncle returns
in the evening we shall be miles away
from here.
Maude asquiesced rather reluctantly.
She loved Jack dearly; but still she had
some compunction about deceiving her
uncle, who, with the eNtePtt6H Of the
unaccountable obstinacy he had shown
toward her lover, had always been
ready to humor her. Jack, however,
drew such a glowing picture of the
happiness in store for them and de-
clared with so much confidence Major
Henderson's 5 anger would not last more
than three weeks, when once the ire
rocable step was taken, that Maude
was much comforted.
When they returned Major Hender-
son pressed Mr., Browne to spend the
evening at lIoneysuckle Cottage. Tea
being over, the major asked Maude if
she would mind packing his portman-
teau for him.
81 have laid out the things | wish to
take, my dear You will fit them in
more neatly than | could. "
Maude was delighted to have an OPP
portunity of doing at last little kindly
act.
Directly she had left the room, the
Major began tidgeting about, and at
length got up and paced the room.
Suddenly turning to Mr.. Browne, he
said: Comparative stranger are you to
me, feel as if must tell you the ma
ture of the business which is calling
me to London so suddenly that to
speak of it would be an immense re-
lief"
The stranger was all sympathetic at
tention in Il moment.
"Mr. Browne" continued the major
excitedly, 'this time yesterday | be-
lioved that poor girl upstairs to be the
mistress of fairly large fortune To-
day-f the information | received this
morning Is correct know her TO be
pcnniless. And that is not all; the
greater part, if not the whole, of my
income is lost also"
So sympathetic was Mr. Browne that
he begged to know all the details.
These, however, the major was unable
to furnish; in fact, he could explain
nothing satisfactorily, so great was the
state of excitement into which he had
worked himself.
"Hushr he said. as he heard Maude
approaching, "Not a word to her. |
wouldn't disturb her peace of mind for
worlds, poor girl, until | am certain
how the matter stands.
The next day, about an hour after
her uncle had left for London, Maude
received the following penciled note
from Mr.. Browne
my Own DARLING: | am the most
unlucky dog that ever livedl | passed
n wretched night, and this morning |
am too i'll to leave my bed. To be dis
abled to-day when | was to have ar
ranged for the event which is to make
me the happiest man in England! !
have sent for the village bones, and
if he can but patch me up it may not
vet be too late. Send book back by
bearer, to account for having received
a letter from your nearly frantic
JACK."
Poor Maudel The torturing suspense
of that day! In the evening she ven
tured to ask the landlady to inquire
how Mr.. Browne was. mo better,
was the alarming reply
Maude passed q sleepless night. In
the morning she received a second note
from her dear Jack even more despair
ing in its tone than the former one.
Fate is against us he wrote. Il
feel as if | shall never be able 10 call
you mine
In the middle of the day she again
sent to inquire for her lover, and was
overioyed when she heard he was much
better and was even thinking of getting
up, his recovery bidding fair to be as
sudden as his seizure.
That evening Major Henderson re-
turned. Hardly had he knocked at the
door when Mr.. Browne emerged from
the opposite cottage
What news, sir?' asked the sym
pathetic Mr. Browne
"The worst possible" replied the
major, throwing himself into an easy
chair and covering his face with his
hands. That poor girl yonder is a
beggar, and Layc but a hundred
year left
Maude looked from one to the other
in utter bewild derment, and then cross
ed over 10 her uncle, trying to com
folt him and gain some explanation at
the same time.
Il feel that this is no scene for a
stranger to witness. sa Nj. Browne.
S T, YOU have my deepest sympathy
aud | am sure that at the present
moment can show 1t in no better way
than BY Withdraw ng
Maude followed her lover to the door.
She Vas much distressed on her uncle
account bu. did not fully realize aer
own loss Of fortune.